Can and cover washing machine



Oct. 22, 1935. J, w s 2,017,880

CAN AND COVER WASHING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTQR [safe "f h/zZ/z'ams ATTORN EY O 2 1935. L. J. WILLIAMS CAN AND COVER WASHING MACH INE 7 Filed July 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WQ A" wdna INVENTOR ZefferJWzY/fmm? U lgroRNEY w xv$ Oct. 22, 1935. J. WILLIAMS CAN AND COVER WASHING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W a W w 1| y mw a r 0 x 7 Y J m 2 W a a w 2 fl W g, H g M f .1

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CAN AND COVER WASHING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 g INVENTOR Zesfer .Z/VM/z'azrz; BY $2M @1 ATTORNEY Oct. 22, 1935. J. WILLIAMS CAN AND COVER WASHING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 22, 1935 PATENT OFFIE CAN AND COVER WASHING MACHINE Lester J. Williams, Canastota, N. Y., assignor to Carl Braun, Inc., Canastota, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 15, 1930, Serial No. 468,184

12 Claims.

My invention relates to can washing mechanism or apparatus and especially to improved mechanism for washing can tops or covers and particularly milk can covers, constructed and arranged to advance the covers in edgewise-upright position; that is, in a position practically at a right angle to the normal position on a can, and to thoroughly wash or sterilize the covers during such advance.

The present machine also includes means acting automatically after washing the covers, to turn them to horizontal position and deliver them upon the tops of the can bodies which have been advanced and washed in generally parallel relation to the covers and after washing moved to a position beneath the point at which the cover is deposited upon the body, after which the can body with cover thereon is ejected from the machine.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufiiciently explained in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which show a representative embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a rear end elevation of a can washing machine designed to wash both can bodies and. covers, but showing especially the present improved cover washing mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section at 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section at 44, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 2, showing another operative position.

Fig. 6 is a detail in side elevation, enlarged, showing principally one set of spray pipes, valve and valve operating means.

Figs. 1 and 2 show essential parts of a can washer in which can bodies are advanced in a linear direction, step by step, and at appropriate positions during advance are washed, and the can tops or covers are advanced in a generally similar manner and in a parallel path at one side of the path of the bodies. The present invention relates principally to improved means for advancing the covers in an edgewise position, that is, in an edgewise direction and in a plane perpendicular to the normal position of the cover when on the can. When so advanced the covers may be thoroughly washed or scoured by steam or water jets without the necessity for brushing. The machine also includes means acting at the discharge end to turn the covers to horizontal position and then discharge them, 5 each upon the top of a can body which has been advanced, washed and positioned to receive the cover.

The machine is built on or about a generally rectangular, open frame l0 consisting of vari- 1o ous upright, longitudinal, and transverse members of angle or channel section, some of the particular frame members being sufiiciently referred to hereafter. At the left as the machine is viewed at the discharge end, in Fig. l, is a pas- 15 sage or trackway II and some means for advancing the can bodies step by step. Details of the means for supporting, advancing and washing the bodies are not here shown, except as to certain items referred to hereafter, sufficient to 20 enable the positioning of the bodies to receive the covers, to be understood.

The improved means for advancing the covers includes a longitudinal rail I2 of angle section, and another rail l3 which may be of fiat straight 25 strip form and is conveniently identified in some cases as a cam rail. These rails are designed to receive the necks l4 of the can'covers l5, while the normally upper faces of the flanged top portions N5 of the covers rest slidingly against horizontal guide rails l1 and I8, which may be of angle section, as shown. As clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the covers are supported in an edgewise nearly vertical position, but tilted slightly from the vertical, as best shown in Fig. 3, to insure resting against the upper or side supporting rails I! and I8 and prevent accidental tipping until they reach the discharge end without necessity for providing any guides at the side of the cover opposite to rails I! and I8. For this purpose the lower rails I2 and I3 are supported in a slightly tilted position (Fig. 3) by angle brackets l9 secured to frame cross pieces 20, and the rails l1 and I8 are also supported in slightly tilted or angular positions by uprights 2| of U-brackets 22 which are also secured to the cross pieces 20. The lower rails l2 and I3 are secured to brackets l9'by bolts 23 and spacing sleeves 24. At a suitable plurality of longitudinal positions are the washing or spray pipes, comprising as here shown at opposite positions laterally of the machine, vertical pipes 25 having orifices or nozzles 21 directed toward the normally upper faces of the cover tops i6, and pipes 26 preferably having at a position nearly central in relation to the can covers, horizontal branch pipes 28 connected by a union 29, and these pipes 26 and 28 have orifices or nozzles 38 so directed as to throw jets upon the inner and outer surfaces of the cover collar and under-surfaces of the flanged top, as also sufiiciently shown in Fig. 3. For each set of jet pipes, that is, each pipe 25 with its opposite pipe 26 and branch pipes 28, there is a cross-connection consisting of pipes 3| and 32 and a union 33. From each of these unions a pipe 34 connects to a valve 35 and all the valves may be connected as by pipes 36 to a main supply pipe for steam,

wash-water or solution; or if desired, a certain number of the valves may be connected to one main supply pipe carrying, say, steam, while others may be connected to another main pipe supplying water for rinsing, etc.

Each valve has a spring-actuated stem 31 and these stems are operated by the short arms 38 of levers 39 fulcrumed at 48 on brackets 4I connected to the valve bodies. At a point where the can cover is in centered relation to spray pipes, as best shown in Fig. 6, one of the bottom rails, such as the plain or strip rail I3 has a cam portion or notch 42, so that when in the advance of the cover the collar portion reaches the cam or notch 42 it drops into it and depresses the lever arm 39 to the position of Fig. 6, thus opening the valve and supplying the steam or washing liquid under suitable pressure to thoroughly wash the cover at a plurality of different positions. If desired, the long arms of the levers may have depending portions 43 allowing for hand operation or for counter-weighting. When the can collar is in valve operating position, as just above referred to, it may be additionally supported by the upper fiange'or rail I2, or in some cases this rail may be omitted and the covers may be entirely supported from below by proper positioning of rail I3.

For advancing the covers step by step from the feed end of the machine in which they are placed by hand, there is a longitudinal, horizontal slide 44 which as shown, is of channel section, inverted, and slidingly supported by a rail 45 and angle brackets 46. At suitable intervals, correspond ing to the spacing of the spray pipes, this slide has pivotally mounted at 4! feed pawls or pushers 48 normally held by springs 49 against stops 58 on the slide. These pawls engage rearward faces of the can collars and when the slide is reciprocated in the forward direction advance the covers simultaneously, and when the slides move in the opposite direction they snap past the collars of the next rearward covers and reengage with them, and so on, in an obvious way. Return movement of the covers is prevented, and they are also definitely retained in washing positions by pawls or detents, consisting as here shown of the angular portions 5| of bars 52 which may be pivotally connected or loosely mounted and held by stops between longitudinal rails 53 supported on the cross members of the U-brackets 22 previously referred to. These detent bars also have upwardly extending portions '54 provided with weights 55, so that the angular portions of the detents areheld in engagement with the can collars and force these collars down into the depressions or notches 42 and into engagement with the levers 39, insuring proper actuation of the levers and valves and also retention of the covers in washing position; and when the covers are advanced the detents are raised to permit such movement and drop behind the covers preventing return movement. I

As each cover passes beyond the last detent rod 52 it is brought opposite a pushing or tilting member 56 carried by a short horizontal arm 51 removably or adjustably secured at 58 to the upper end of a lever 59 fulcrumed at 68 on a frame up- 5 right 6 I. An upper portion of this lever may also be guided by location in the slotted bracket 62. At this time the cover is also located above a tilt-. ing plate or table 63 which is pivotally mounted at 64 on a bracket secured to the main frame and provided with a stop consisting of a rod 66 pivotally connected to the table and passing through. a hole in a bracket arm 61 so that the downward tilting movement in Fig. 5 is limited by nuts 68 r on the stop rod engaging below the bracket arm.

When the cover is brought over the tilting table, lever 59 is oscillated (by means to be described) whereupon the pushing or tilting member 56 engages the upper portion of the top and tilts the cover toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that it falls by gravity in right-side-up position on the tilting table and then in the next action of themachine the table is tilted as shown in Fig. 5 whereupon the cover slides by gravity down upon the top of a can body 69 which has been washed and moved laterally to receive the cover by means also to be described.

For operation of the various feeding or can body and cover handling devices, there is a primary driving member in the form of a transverse shaft 18 which may itself be driven in any convenient wayas shown, by an electric motor II -mounted on horizontal frame members and connected to the primary driven shaft by a suitable gearing including sprockets and a chain I2, a counter-shaft I3 supported in a frame bracket 14, and a worm 15 on that shaft engaging a worm gear I6 on the'primary drive shaft. On one end of the main drive shaft is a crank I1 connected by a link 18 to an oscillating frame I9 pivotally mounted at 88 in a position below the line of advance of the can bodies; that is, at the left as viewed in Fig. 1. The upper end of this oscillating frame is connected, as by links 8! to slides or other devices for advancing the can bodies. This frame is also connected by means of an angularly located link 84 to a lever 85 fulcrumed at 86 and arranged to swing in a horizontal plane to move the can bodies laterally therefrom to the main line of advance while washing and to a position below the tilting table 63 above referred to. In this lateral movement the can bodies slide on a table 8! in a lower position at the discharge end of the machine, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Lever 85 has a curved end 88 to engage a segment of the can body and when the body is in final position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, it is brought against the transversely directed end portion '89 of a locating and ejecting bar 98 which is mounted to reciprocate, longitudinally of the machine, in guides 9| and 92. Link I8 above referred to, for oscillating frame I9 is connected to a transverse bar 93 in the frame, and the inwardly extending end 94 of this bar is connected by a link 95 to the lower end of an upright lever 96. This lever is fulcrumed at 91 on a frame bracket 98 and its upper end is connected by a link 99 t0 the can cover feed slide 44 so that the can covers are advanced, step by step, coordinately with the can bodies moving in a parallel line. Lever 96 is also connected by ashort link I88 to the upper end of another upright lever I8 I fulcrumed at I82 and having its lower end connected by a link I83 to the push rod 98 so that that rod is reciprocated, in proper relation to the feed actions, whereupon the angularly bent locating and pushing member 8% of the rod ejects the can body with the cover located thereon rearwardly from the table 81.

For operating the tilting table 63, the main drive shaft 79 has a cam HM cooperating with a cam roll Hi5 on one end of a lever I06 fulcrumed at 32 and connected at its rearward end by an adjustable link 551 to the tilting table at I08 so that the table is oscillated at proper times in relation to the cover feed movements.

The lever 53 carrying the push member 56 to tilt the covers to horizontal position, is operated by lever 85 through a push rod I09 pivotally connected to the lower end of lever 59 at H0. This push rod is guided in a hole in a bracket II I and its end is engaged by a flange H2 on lever 85 and held in such engagement by a spring H3 so that when lever 85 is oscillated to position the can body, as shown in Fig. 4, the tilting member 55 is also actuated to tilt the can cover to horizontal position on table 63 and the table is then actuated as previously referred to and shown in Fig. 5 to deliver the cover on top of a can body.

The general operation of the machine will be understood from preceding description in which the different operations or functions have been explained.

I claim:

1. Can cover handling and washing mechanism comprising a guideway supporting can covers for linear advance in approximately edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step by step in the guideway, a tilting table at the rear end of the guideway adapted to be tilted to discharge the covers, and a laterally operating pusher acting on the covers to tilt them to horizontal position on the tilting table.

2. Can cover handling and Washing mechanism cor-a rising a guideway supporting can covers for Einear advance in approximately edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step .by step in the guideway, a tilting table at the rear end of the guideway adapted to be tilted to discharge the covers, a laterally operating pusher acting on the covers to tilt them to horizontal position on the tilting table, and means for tilting the table in coordinate relation to the advancing movements of the cover.

3. Can cover handling and washing mechanism comprising a guideway supporting can covers for linear advance in approximately edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step by step in the guideway, a tilting table at the rear end of the guideway adapted to be tilted to discharge the covers, a laterally operating pusher acting on the covers to tilt them to horizontal position on the tilting table, and means for moving can bodies laterally to a position under the tilting table whereby a cover is deposited in upright position on each can body.

4. Can cover handling and washing mechanism comprising a guideway supporting can covers for linear advance in approximately edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step by step in the guideway, a tilting table at the rear end of the guideway adapted to be tilted to discharge th covers, a laterally operating pusher acting on the covers to tilt them to horizontal position on the tilting table, means for moving can bodies laterally to a position under the tilting tabie whereby a cover is deposited in right side up position on each can body, and a push rod having a member to position can bodies for receiving the covers and also acting to ejectthe can bodies.

5. A can cover washing machine comprising a frame, a horizontal rail to receive and support can covers by engagement with their necks, an '5 upper horizontal guide rail to engage can cover tops and support the covers in a slightly tilted edgewise position, means for advancing the covers step by step, detent pawls preventing reverse movement of the covers, a tilting table adjacent in the discharge end of the guide rails, means for operating the table, and a transversely moving lever having a pusher to engage the covers and tilt them to horizontal upright position on the tilting table. 15

6. Can cover handling mechanism comprising a guideway supporting can covers for linear advance in approximately edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step by step in the guideway, a tilting table at the rear end 20 of the guideway, a laterally operating pusher acting on the covers to tilt them to horizontal position on the tilting table, and means for tilting the table in coordinate relation to the advancing movements of the covers. 25

'7. A can cover handling machine comprising a frame, a horizontal rail to receive and support can covers by engagement with their necks, an upper horizontal guide rail to engage can cover tops and support the covers in a slightly tilted 3o edgewise position, means for advancing the covers step by step, detent pawls preventing reverse movement of the covers, a tilting table adjacent the discharge end of the guide rails and means for operating the table.

8. A can cover handling machine comprising a frame, a horizontal rail to receive and support can covers by engagement with their necks, an upper horizontal guide rail to engage can cover tops and support the covers in a slightly tilted 40 edgewise position, means for advancing the covers step by step, detent pawls preventing reverse movement of the covers, a tilting table adjacent the discharge end of the guide rails, and means for operating the tilting table to deposit the covers on can bodies positioned below the end of the tilting table to receive them and means to push the cans away from the tilting table.

9. Can cover handling mechanism comprising a guideway supporting can covers for linear advance in edgewise upright position, means for advancing the covers step by step in the guideway, means cooperating with the last named means for advancing a series of cans, means for moving the cans toward the end of the cover guideway, and means at the delivery end of the cover guideway for applying the covers to the cans at a position in line with and below the cover guideway.

10. Apparatus for the purpose described combining a can guideway, cover guideway, positively actuated mechanism for depositing the cans in cover receiving position, and means including a tiltable member at the end of the cover guideway and on the same level therewith to receive 55 the cover and slide it to the can top as each can is moved below the end of said tiltable member.

11. Apparatus for the purpose described, combining means comprising a can guideway for advancing a series of cans, means other than the last named means comprising a cover guideway for simultaneously advancing a cover in the same general direction of the cans, a horizontal platform, positively actuated mechanism at the end of the can advancing guideway for 7 moving the cans to their cover receiving position, means including a tiltable member at the end of and at the same level as the cover guideway to receive the cover and slide it to the can top, and positively actuated mechanism comprising a member engaging the can body for moving the cans with their applied covers away from the cover-applying position.

12. Apparatus for the purpose described com- 10 bining means comprising a can guideway for ad- 

